Folding chair



Jan. 24, 1933.

|.. s. WILLIAMS FOLDING CHAIR Filed Jan. 15, 1932 mmvron;

ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 24, 1933 PATENT OFFICE LEWIS s. WILLIAMS, or Bananas srames, mar-1mm FOLDING CHAIR Application filed January 15, 1932. Serial No. 588,849.

The invention relates to improvements in folding chairs and has for its object the provision of a simple and efficient construction of the character'ndicated which is capable of economical construction, strong and durable in use and foldable into compact space.

loosely between the bars 13 and 14, thereby Other ob ects will appear hereinafter. The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a folding chair embodying the invention;

I Fig. 2 a transverse section of the same taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 a front view of the same shown in folded condition; and

Fig. 4 a detailed view of a modified form of construction.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing comprises two side frames, each consisting of front legs 10,",rear

legs 11, and connecting bars 12, 13 and 14.

The rear legs 11 of eachside frame are extended as indicated to constitute the sides of the back of the chair andare connected at their upper portions by a flexible back rest 15 or canvas or the like, as shown. 4 The side frames are also operatively connected by means of two pair'of crossed folding bars 16 pivotally connected to each other at the points of crossing by means of pivots 17. The corresponding bars of each air are connected to each other by means 0 rungs or connecting rods 18, as shown.

A flexible seat member 19 of canvas or the 40 like is secured as shown to the upper cross bars 12 of the side frames, resting loosely over the u per rungs 18 of the folding bars and where y when the chair is in extended condition, the weight of the occupant rests primarily on the upper rungs 18 of the folding bars, thereby holding said folding bars in distended positions, as indicated in Fig. 1.

Arm rests 20 are pivoted at 21 to the front and rear legs 10 and 11 of the side frames and also pivoted at 22 to the upper ends of the folding bars 16, as shown, and whereby said arm rests will be supported in distended or operative position when the chair is distended, or automatically fold when the chair is folded, as indicated in Fig. 3.

The lower ends of the folding bars 16 fit effecting a simple, sliding and pivotal connection with the lower portions of the side frames of the chair.

When it is desired to fold the chair, all that is necessary is to pick up the chair by means of the arm rests 20, whereupon the parts assume the positions indicated in Fig. 3.

To distend the chair, all that is necessary is to rest the same on the floor and separate the arm rests 20, whereupon the parts assume the positions indicated in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 4.- I have illustrated a modified form of connection between the lower ends of the folding bars 16 and the corresponding adjacent leg of each side frame. In this modified form of construction, each folding bar 16 is connected with the corresponding leg by means of a link 22 pivoted at 23 to the corresponding folding bar and at 25 to the corresponding leg, andwhereby folding of the parts will be permitted and at the same time a positive connection established petween the folding bars and the side frame egs.

By means of the-construction disclosed, a

simple and eificient folding chair is provided,

capable of economical production, strong and durable in use, and which may be readily and quickly folded into compact space when desired. The specific form and arrangement of the parts is a simple and efficient one for 9 the purpose. 0

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification Without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details disclosed, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim'as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A folding chair comprising two side frames; a flexible seat connecting said side frames; two pairs of crossed folding bars cooperating therewith, the bars of each pair being pivotally connected at the point of crossing, the lower ends of said bars being slidably connected with the lower portions of the corresponding side frame; and arm rests pivotally connected with the upper portions of said side frames and with the upper ends of the corresponding bars.

2. A folding chair comprising two side frames; a flexible seat connecting said side frames; two pairs of crossed folding bars cooperating therewith, the bars of each pair being pivotally connected at the point of crossing, the lower ends of said bars being slidably and pivotally connected with the' lower portions of the corresponding side frame; and arm rests pivotally connected with the upper portion of said side frames and with the upper ends of the corresponding bars.

3. A folding chair comprising two side frames; a flexible seat connecting said side frames; two pairs of crossed folding bars cooperating therewith, the bars of each pair being pivotally connected at the point of crossing, the lower ends of said bars being slidably connected with the lower portions of the corresponding side frame; arm rests pivotally connected with the upper portions of said side frames and with the upper ends of the corresponding bars; and a flexible back rest connected with the upper rear portions of said side frames.

4. A folding chair comprising two side frames; a flexible seat connecting said side frames; two pairs of crossed folding bars cooperating therewith, the bars of each pair being pivotally connected at' the point of crossing, the lower ends of said bars being slidably and pivotally connected with the lower portions of the correspondin side frame; arm rests pivotally connected with the upper portion of said side framesand with the upper ends of the corresponding bars; and a flexible back rest connected with the upper rear portions of said side frames.

'5. A folding chair comprising two side each other by rungs; a flexible seat connected with frame bars of said side frames and resting over rungs of said folding bars; arm rests pivotally connected with the upper portions of said side frames and with the upper ends of the corresponding folding bars; and a flexible back rest connected with the upper portions of the rear legs of said side frames. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 7th dayof January, 1932.

LEWIS S. WILLIAMS.

frames, each of said side frames being provided with a front and rear leg member, the rear leg member being extended vertically to constitute a side of the chair back, and said leg members in each frame being connected by frame bars; two pairs of crossed folding bars cooperating with said side frames, the folding bars of each pair being pivotally connected at the point of crossing, the lower ends of said folding bars being slidably and pivotally connected with the lower portions of the corresponding side frame, and corresponding folding bars being connected to 

